Last Monday we were honored to host Deborah Ziegler at a reception in Portland, Oregon, where the Death with Dignity National Center is headquartered. Together with local board members, staff, and supporters, we heard Deborah tell the story of how she got involved in our movement. She also made a generous contribution to support our efforts around the country.
Deborah visited our fair city as part of a book tour promoting her new memoir Wild and Precious Life (out now from Atria Books), which honors the legacy of her daughter, Brittany Maynard.
As Brittany faced in 2014 death from terminal brain cancer at the age of 29, she was planning to end her life in a peaceful manner using the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. The video she recorded announcing her decision to pursue this option went viral and helped prompt more than half of the country’s state legislatures to debate assisted dying legislation modeled on the groundbreaking Oregon law. Deborah’s story of living through her daughter’s final days offers, in the publisher’s words, “hope, empowerment, and inspiration to people struggling with end-of-life issues. It is a touching tribute to the enduring power of a mother and daughter’s love.”
Just before the first anniversary of Brittany’s death, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the End of Life Option Act, making the Golden State a fourth state with a Death with Dignity statute (the law went into effect in June 2016). Deborah’s advocacy was instrumental in the law’s passage.
The reception was followed by a talk and Q&A at Powell’s Bookstore.
-
- Deborah Ziegler with her husband Gary and Drs Bonnie and Peter Reagan.
-
- Death with Dignity National Center Board President George Eighmey speaking.
-
- Deborah Ziegler speaking.
-
- Deborah Ziegler holding her donation check with Board President George Eighmey.
-
- Deborah Ziegler
-
- Deborah Ziegler signing copies of her book.
-
- Deborah Ziegler signing copies of her book at Powell’s Bookstore.
-
- Deborah Ziegler speaking at Powell’s Bookstore.
No comments.